Method of and apparatus for handling and splicing strips of rubber plastic and the like

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for joining ends of strips of rubber or plastic material or the like, such as, strips from a rubber mill, to facilitate further processing. A generally horizontally disposed trailing end of a strip is directed downward to depend from a path of strip movement in advance of a splicing mechanism, a leading end of a succeeding strip is advanced relative to the preceding strip, and subsequent concurrent and equal advance of both strips automatically overlaps the ends for splicing.

United States Patent Inventor Appl. No, Filed Patented Assignee METHODOF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND SPLICING STRIPS OF RUBBER, PLASTIC[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,940,506 6/1960 McKee et a]156/502 3,384,527 5/1968 Fener 156/502 Primary Examiner Robert F. StahlAttorney-Watts, Hoffman, Fisher & Heinke ABSTRACT: Apparatus and methodfor joining ends of strips of rubber or plastic material or the like,such as, strips from a rubber mill, to facilitate further processing. Agenerally z ggg z gff g g horizontally disposed trailing end of a stripis directed downward to depend from a path of strip movement in ad-[1.8. CI 156/502 vance of a splicing mechanism, a leading end of asucceeding Int. Cl." B65h 21/00 strip is advanced relative to thepreceding strip, and sub- Field of Search lS6/502;- sequent concurrentand equal advance of both strips auto- 242/58.158.8 matically overlapsthe ends for splicing.

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Fig. 3

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND SPLICING STRIPS F RUBBER,PLASTIC AND THE LIKE This invention relates to the handling and splicingof strips of rubber, plastic and the like.

Rubber and plastic stock to be processed into sheets may typically beworked as a batch in a roll mill, and then be removed as a strip ofuncured material. This strip may be subsequently festooned on a rack orbatch-off" apparatus for cooling, curing, and/or other processing. Forconvenience in transferring strips to a batch-off apparatus, and thelike, it is often desirable to splice successive strips of materialtogether. One effective manner of splicing strips is to overlap theadjacent end portions of two strips and mechanically knead the endstogether, as by rolling with gear teeth or cog wheels, and the like.However, the strips of material are quite bulky and often difiicult tomanually overlap, especially for a single operator.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improved methods ofand apparatus for overlapping adjacent ends of successive strips ofrubber or plastic material, and the like, prior to splicing the stripstogether, etcetera.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmethods of and apparatus for overlapping adjacent ends of successivestrips of rubber or plastic material, and the like, prior to splicing,without necessitating manual lifting or handling of the strips to effectthe overlap once the strips have been directed along a path of travel toa splicer.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmethods of and apparatus for overlapping and splicing adjacent ends ofsuccessive strips of rubber or plastic material or the like that aremoved along a path having a horizontal component of direction, in whicha trailing end portion of a preceding strip is moved from said path todepend therefrom, and a leading end portion of a succeeding strip isadvanced along said path relative to said preceding strip to a locationwhere subsequent equal advancement of both stripsalong said path willresult in an overlapping of said leading and trailing end portions.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improvedmethods of and apparatus for overlapping and splicing adjacent ends ofsuccessive strips of rubber or plastic material and the like, in whichsuccessive strips are advanced across a gap in a conveying path thatextends through a splicing means downstream of said gap, a trailing endportion of a preceding strip is moved downward through said gap todepend from said path, and a leading end portion of a succeeding stripis advanced toward said gap relative to said preceding strip to positionsaid leading end portion a distance from the gap less than the length ofsaid depending trailing end portion, whereby subsequent equaladvancement of both strips along said path will overlap said leading andtrailing ends prior to their movement through said splicing means.

It is another and more specific object of this invention to provide newand improved apparatus of the type referred to for handling strips ofrubber or plastic and the like and which includes conveying means forsupporting and moving strip material along a path to a splicingmechanism, which conveying means includes a power driven portion and anidler portion downstream thereof and separated therefrom by a transversegap across the path, roll means extending substantially the width of theconveyor means reciprocable through said gap between upper and lowerpositions above and below the conveying means for engaging a trailingportion of a strip of material and moving the trailing portion downwardso that the trailing portion depends from the conveying path, and meansoperable to move said roll means between said upper and lower positions.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description, whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a partof this specification, and in which:

FIG. I is a longitudinal sectional view of apparatus embodying thepresent invention for handling and splicing strips of rubber, plasticand the like, taken along the line I--I of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. l, with partsremoved, and parts in section, as viewed approximately from the line2--2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I.

With reference now to the drawings, a strip handling and splicingapparatus A embodying the present invention is shown in FIG. I alongwith a strip treating tank B downstream from the handling and splicingapparatus in the direction of work movement. The handling and splicingapparatus A includes a conveyor means C, a vertically movable rollassembly D and a splicer mechanism E. The conveyor C serves to carrysuccessive strips of material, such as uncured rubber, plastic or thelike, two of which are shown at $1 and S2, along a path through thesplicer E. The reciprocable roll assembly D serves to position atrailing portion of a strip SI in a depending position, so that thestrips S1, S2 can be automatically overlapped and then fed through thesplicer E. The splicer E mechanically splices the two overlapped ends ofthe strips together, as by kneading or stitching the overlapped portionstogether. The treating tank B includes a conveying mechanism F thatreceives the strip that is advanced through the handling and splicingapparatus A and which carries the strip to subsequent apparatus, such asa batch-off machine on which the strip is festooned for drying, cooling,curing or the like.

The conveyor C, roll assembly D, and splicer E are supported by aframework G adjacent the tank 8 at the downstream side and adjacent asource (not spaced strip material, such as an open rubber mill or thelike, on the upstream or left hand side of the apparatus, as viewed inFIG. I. The framework G includes pairs of longitudinally spaced uprights20, 22, 24, one of each pair being on an opposite side of the apparatus;pairs of longitudinally extending connecting beams 26, 27, 28, 30, 32;and transverse connecting beams 34 and 36 between uprights 20 and 22,beams 38 and 39 between the pair of spaced longitudinal beams 32, andbeams 40 and 41 between the pair of uprights 24. In addition, anauxiliary frame on each opposite side of the main frame, is provided byvertical angle iron members 43, 44 between the longitudinal beams 28 and30, and by short longitudinal angle iron members 46, 47 between thevertical members 43, 44 and the respective adjacent upright 22, 24.

The conveyor means C is supported generally horizontally by theframework G, and defines a path of strip movement through the handlingand splicing apparatus A. The conveyor means C includes a drivenconveyor portion indicated generally at 50, and an idler conveyorindicated generally at 52. In the preferred embodiment shown, the drivenconveyor portion 50 is a belt conveyor, including a drive roll 54 at oneend, and idler roll 56 at the other end, a conveyor belt 58 trainedabout the rolls 54, 56, and a belt support table 60 carried by theframework and extending beneath an upper reach of the belt 58, betweenthe two rolls 54, 56. The roll 54 is carried at a fixed location by aroll shaft: 62 supported in bearing blocks 64 at opposite ends of theshaft 62 and secured to the transversely spaced uprights 22. A suitablepulley or chain drive (not shown) is connected to the shaft 62 in aconventional manner to drive the roll 54 in a clockwise direction, asviewed in FIG. 1. The roll 56 is supported by a roll shaft 66 in bearingsupports 68 that are carried by longitudinally movable support brackets70, which permit tension adjustment of the belt 58.

The idler conveyor portion 52 consists of three transversely extendingrolls 72, 74, 76 horizontally aligned so that an upper surface of eachroll extends in a general continuation of the plane defined by the upperreach of the belt 58, or just slightly above the plane. The roll 72 issupported for rotation at opposite ends in the vertical members 43 ofthe auxiliary frame. the roll 74 is supported by the vertical members 43of the auxiliary frame, the roll 74 is supported by the vertical members44, and the roll 76 is supported by the longitudinal connecting members47. The rolls 72, 74 are spaced from each other longitudinally in thedirection of work travel along the path defined by the conveyor means Cto provide a transverse gap through which a trailing end portion of astrip can be moved to depend from the path of strip travel, as depictedin FIG. 1.

The reciprocable roll assembly D includes a roll mounting assembly 80for carrying a push roller, a supporting and actuating motor 82, forreciprocating the roll mounting assembly, and a roll guide assembly 84for establishing a path of movement of the roll mounting assembly andfor maintaining the push roll, horizontally aligned.

The roll mounting assembly 80 is best shown in FIG. 2 and includes amain support tube 86 extending transversely of the conveyor C,substantially the width thereof and located directly above the gapbetween the idler rolls 72, 74, when the roll assembly is in an upperposition, as shown. A central lug 88 extends upward from the mainsupport tube 86 for attachment to the supporting and actuating motor 82.Vertical plates 89, 90 are carried at opposite ends of the main supporttube 86, extend above and below the tube, and each support a separateupper shaft 92, 93, respectively, and a common lower shaft 94, all ofwhich extend horizontally in a common vertical plane. Grooved guidewheels 98, 99 are carried by shafts 92, 93 and vertically aligned guidewheels 100, 101 are carried at opposite ends of the shaft 94. Thesewheels are restrained to a vertical path by the roll guide assembly 84.A traveling roller or push roll 104 is carried by and is freelyrotatable in the shaft 94, between the supporting plate 89, 90 and gears106 are keyed to the shaft 94, one adjacent each end, between thevertical members 43, 44 of the auxiliary frame, as best shown in FIG. 3.A vertical divider plate 108 is secured at its lower edge to the mainsupport tube 86 and extends upward approximate- 1y 3 distance equal tothe vertical travel of the assembly 80. The divider plate extendssubstantially the width of the roll 104 and prevents contact betweenportions of a strip that depend opposite each other as a loop is formedin the strip by downward movement of the roll.

The supporting and actuating motor 82 is comprised of a fluid cylinder110 that depends vertically from a support plate 112 secured to thetransverse beams 38, 39 in a longitudinal midplane of the framework. Apiston rod 112 extends from the lower end of the cylinder 110 andcarries a clevis 113 that receives the lug 88 and which is securedthereto by a pin 114.

The roll guide assembly 84 restrains the reciprocating movement of theroll-mounting assembly 80 to a vertical path between the spaced conveyorrolls 72, 74 and maintains the roll horizontal during its movement sothat the roll acts on a strip of material uniformly across the widththereof. Two spaced vertical guide strips 116, 117 are secured to andextend slightly inward from the vertical angle iron members 43, 44 ofthe auxiliary frame on each side of the apparatus. The inner verticaledges of the guide strips 116, 117 establish a vertical passageway inwhich the guide wheels 98, 100 move. The guide strips of the oppositeside of the apparatus similarly receive the guide wheels 99, 101. Theinner edges of the guide strips are received within the grooved portionsof the guide wheels and act as guide tracks. A vertical rack 120 extendsalong the vertical angle iron member 44 on each side of the apparatus. Atoothed surface 120a of each rack 120 faces the vertical passageway inwhich the guide wheels and shafts move and engages the adjacent gear106. The rack and a gear at each end of the shaft 94 of roll 104 aremaintained in meshing relationship by the guide strips 116, 117 and thegrooved guide wheels 98, 99. This construction assures that oppositeends of the shaft 94 and rack 104 are moved vertically at the same speedso that the roll 104 remains horizontal at all times.

The splicer E, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes a smoothsurfaced, driven, backup roll 122 that supports and moves a strip ofmaterial through the splicer, a pivoted frame assembly 124 that carriesstitching sprockets 126. and an actuator 128 for pivoting the frameassembly 124 to selectively control splicing.

The driven backup roll 122 extends transversely of the path of striptravel as generally defined by the conveyor C, and in part supports astrip along the path of travel. The roll 122 is supported on a shaft 130journaled at opposite ends in bearing blocks 132, which are secured tothe transversely spaced upright members 24. The upper surface of theroll is just slightly below the plane defined by the upper surfaces ofthe idler rolls 72, 74, 76. A suitable pulley or chain drive (not shown)is connected to the shaft 130 of the roll 122 in a conventional manner.In the present embodiment the drive for the roll 122 and the drive forthe conveyor belt 58 are interconnected for concurrent operation toadvance a strip or strips in the same direction and at the same speed.Alternatively, provision can be made for separately driving the conveyorbelt and backup roll either at the same speed or at different speeds tofacilitate slight variations in the manner in which strips are handledto overlap the ends, as will be explained in more detail subsequently.

The pivoted frame assembly 124 is supported by a transverse shaft 134,located above and somewhat downstream from the backup roll 122. Theshaft 134 is supported by bearing blocks 136 at opposite ends, on thespaced uprights 24. Three parallel arms, two of which are shown at 138a,1386 are spaced along the transverse shaft 134 and are fixedly securedthereto. The arms 138 extend in an upstream direction from thesupporting shaft 134 to overlie the backup roll 122 and in a downstreamdirection from the supporting shaft 134, where they are joined by atransverse rod 140. A transverse shaft 142 is rotatably supported by theextending portion of the arms 138 that overlie the backup roll 122. Sixsprockets 126 are spaced along the length of the transverse shaft 142and are keyed to the shaft. When the frame assembly 124 is pivoted aboutthe supporting shaft 134 in a counterclockwise direction in theorientation of FIG. 1, the sprockets 126 are urged toward the backuproll 122. When the frame assembly 124 is pivoted in a clockwisedirection in the orientation of FIG. 1, the sprockets 126 are raisedfrom the backup roll 122, to an inoperative position.

The actuator 128, as shown, comprises a generally vertical fluidcylinder 146 with a piston rod 147 and clevis 148 extending downwardfrom the cylinder and attached to a connecting link 150 at the end ofthe central transverse arm 138b adjacent the rod 140. The cylinder 146is pivotally connected at its upper end to a support bracket 152 carriedon a mounting plate 153 secured to the transverse beams 40, 41.

In operation, a first strip of material S1 is brought to a position witha leading edge on the conveyor belt 58, in the position of the strip S2shown in FIG. 1. The roll assembly D is in a raised position and thepivoted frame assembly 124 of the splicer E is pivoted to a position inwhich the sprockets 126 are raised from a backup roll 122. The drivenportion of the conveyor C, the backup roll 122, and the conveyor F ofthe subsequent treating tank B are then driven at equal speed to advancethe strip S1 from the left to the right in the orientation of FIG. 1,along the conveyor C, beneath the roll as sembly D, through the splicerE, and on to further treatment, such as through the treating tank B, andsubsequently to a batch-off apparatus. The strip S1 has a finite lengthand its advancement is continued through the apparatus until thetrailing end of the strip S1 is on the belt 58 of the driven portion 50of the conveyor C, somewhat behind the position shown in phantom inFIG. 1. This trailing end is to be overlapped with the leading endportion of a subsequent strip $2. This is accomplished by lowering theroll mounting assembly 80 through actuation of the motor 82. Where thedrive for the conveyor belt 58 and the backup roll 122 facilitates onlyconcurrent operation of the belt and roll, both are maintainedstationary while the assembly 80 is lowered to move the push roll 104and the strip S1 downward between the idler rolls 72, 74 to form adepending loop as shown in phantom in FIG. 1. The spacing between theidler rolls 72, 74 of the conveyor C is sufficient to receive twothicknesses of the the conveyor C is sufficient to receive twothicknesses of the strip 51 and the push roll 1M. Typically, an operatormay assist the roll 11M. Typically, an operator may assist the forwardmovement of the trailing end of the strip Si by slightly lifting the endfrom the belt 58. Alternatively, where the belt 5% can be drivenseparately from the backup roll 1122, the belt can be advanced to movethe trailing end of the strip 811 forward simultaneously with thedownward movement of the push roll 11M and mounting assembly dd, whilethe backup roll i122 remains stationary. The downward movement of thepush roll lllld and the forward movement of the end of the strip 811continues until the end portion of the strip advances beyond the idlerroll 72 and falls to a depending state, as illustrated in H0. 11. Thepush roll MM is then retracted to a position above the conveying pathdefined by the conveyor C. Downward movement of opposite ends of theroll MM is controlled by the gears il llti fixed to the ends of the rollshaft 9d. As the mounting assembly it'll is moved vertically, the gearsare rotated by the fixed racks l2tl, requiring that both ends move atthe same speed, maintaining the roll horizontal and assuring that thestrip is advanced uniformly across its width.

The leading end of the succeeding strip S2 is subsequently placed on thebelt dd at a position where the leading end of the strip 82 is spaced adistance from the idler roll 72 less than the depending length of thetrailing end portion of the strip Si. This assures that with subsequentequal advance of both the strip Sll and the strip 82, the leading end ofthe strip S2 will reach the splicing mechanism E before the trailing endof the strip Sll, resulting in an overlap. At this time, then, thebackup roll 2122 of the splicing mechanism and the conveyor F arestarted to advance the strip Sll at the same speed as the strip S2. Asthe leading edge of the strip 52 moves across the gap between the idlerrolls 72, 743, it contacts the trailing end portion of the strip Sll.From this point on, the leading end of the strip 511 overlies thetrailing end portion of the strip S2, and the trailing and leading endsof the strips S1, S2 move together across the backup roll 1122. Theactuator 12% is energized to withdraw the piston rod M7 and pivot theframe assembly 124i counterclockwise about the supporting shaft 13d inthe orientation of HG. l, to forceably engage the sprockets 1255 againstthe overlapped portions of the strips Sll, S2. Typically, the delayprior to the time the overlapped ends reach the backup roll 1122 isshort enough that the motor Il2h can be energized at the same time theconveyor drive is started, simplifying the controls. Alternatively, adelayed actuation or a slow-acting motor can be incorporated so that thesprockets engage the strips only on overlapped portions. The sprocketteeth are of a depth approximating the depth of the overlapped portionsand are pressed downward against the material with sufficient force tocause the teeth to penetrate well into the strips, stretching andforcing portions together in a kneading action that produces a strongunion, thereby stitching" the overlapping ends. When the trailing endportion of the leading strip Sl passes beyond the backup roll 1122, theframe as sembly 1124 is pivoted to raise the sprockets 126 out ofcontact of the strip S2 and the strip S2 is conveyed through theapparatus A until the trailing end lies on the belt 5h, at which pointthe cycle described above is repeated with a subsequent strip.

ln apparatus where the belt 5% can be driven separately from the backuproll T22, the leading end of the strip can be placed on the conveyorportion Bil at any location near the downstream end and advanced by thebelt M3 to a position where the leading end is properly spaced from theidler roll 72, as already explained. Both the conveyor and the backuproll are then driven forward at the same speed to overlap the ends ofthe strips. In the event this apparatus is used to splice strips ofmaterial that can be advanced to the conveyor mechanism C in relativelyrapid succession so that there is no need to delay the movement of theleading strip, the cycle time for overlapping adjacent ends ofsucceeding strips can be diminished by continuously moving the leadingstrip through the spicer on the downstream side of the gap and advancingthe trailing end thereof and the leading end of a succeeding striptemporarily at a faster speed on the separately driven conveyor portion50, toward the gap. This faster speed is continued until the trailingend of the leading strip depends through the gap in the conveyor and theleading end of the succeeding strip is advanced to a position closer tothe splicing mechanism than is the said trailing end. The speed of theconveyor portion fill is then reduced to that of the leading strip andends are overlapped in the manner already described.

in the embodiment shown, the gap between the idler rolls 72, 74, betweenwhich the push roll llld moves, is small enough that the leading end ofa strip will readily bridge the gap during movement along the path oftravel with typical strip materials. in the event a particular materialis too flexible to extend across the gap and the leading end would tendto drop between the two rolls 72, 7d, a swing roll or other temporarysupport can be provided to bridge the gap between the rolls when theleading end of a strip reaches the gap. The swing roll would bepivotally supported for movement between an upper portion in the gapbetween idler rolls 72, 7d and a lower position beneath and to one sideof the gap. Suitable actuating means, such as a fluid cylinder, wouldselectively position the swing roll in either the upper or lowerposition. In the lower position, the swing roll would permit the pushroll to be lowered and in the upper position it would prevent a leadingend of a strip from falling into the gap between the rolls 72 and 7d.The gaps between the other idler rolls or the idler rolls and the beltor backup roll can of course be diminished to the extent necessary toprovide a continuous path through which the leading ends of the strip tobe conveyed will not fall.

it will be apparent from the above description that the aforementionedobjects of this invention have been achieved with apparatus that isreliable in operation and economical to fabricate and that the improvedmethods and apparatus facilitate the overlapping and splicing ofadjacent ends of succeeding strips of material with a minimum of manualmanipulation of the material.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed with particularity, it will be understood that numerousmodifications or alterations may be made therein without departing fromhe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for handling strips of rubber or plastic material and thelike comprising means to support and convey material in strip form andat least in part defining a path of travel for said material, said meansat least in part defining a gap across said path and at least in partincluding power'driven strip supporting means upstream of and adjacentto said gap; means to selectively engage an upper surface of a strip onsaid support means directly above said gap and movable through said pathand gap between an upper position above said supporting and conveyingmeans and lower position beneath said supporting and conveying means,and means to move said strip-engaging means between said upper and lowerpositions.

2. Apparatus for overlapping and splicing strips of rubber or plasticmaterial and the like comprising a splicing mechanism, means to supportand convey material in strip form along a path to the slicing mechanism,said means providing a gap extending transversely of said path, and rollmeans movable downward adjacent said gap to engage and move a portion ofa strip of material being supported on said supporting and conveyingmeans downward through said gap to depend from said path.

El. Apparatus for overlapping and splicing strips of rubber or plasticmaterial and the like comprising a splicing mechanism, means to supportand convey material in strip form along a path to the splicingmechanism, said means providing a gap extending transversely of saidpath, roll means movable downward adjacent said gap to engage and move aportion of a strip of material being supported on said supporting andconveying means downward through said gap to depend from said path andmeans to maintain said roll means horizontal during movement thereoffrom an upper to a lower position.

4. Apparatus for handling and splicing strips of rubber or plastic andthe like comprising a splicing mechanism selectively operable to joinoverlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic material and the like,conveying means for supporting strip material for movement along a pathto said splicing mechanism, including a power driven conveyor portion, atransversely extending gap between said power driven conveyor portionand said splicing mechanism, roll means extending substantially thewidth of said conveying means and supported for movement through saidgap between upper and lower positions above and below said conveyingmeans, the size of said gap being sufficient to receive both said rollmeans and a portion of a strip of material that extends across the gapand that is engaged by said roll means, and power means operable to movesaid roll means between said upper and lower positions.

5. Apparatus for handling and splicing strips of rubber or plastic andthe like comprising a splicing mechanism selectively operable to joinoverlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic material and the like,conveying means for supporting strip material for movement along a pathto said splicing mechanism, including a power driven conveyor portionand an idler portion downstream thereof in the direction of stripmovement along said path and upstream of said splicing mechanism, atransverse gap between said power driven conveyor portion and saidsplicing mechanism, roll means extending substantially the width of saidconveying means and supported for movement through said gap betweenupper and lower positions above and below said conveying means, the sizeof said gap being sufficient to receive both said roll means and aportion of a strip of material that extends across the gap and that isengaged by said roll means, power means operable to move said roll meansbetween said upper and lower positions, said roll means including ahorizontal rotatable support shaft, a roll rotatable on said shaft, andmeans at opposite ends of said support shaft positively restraining eachopposite end against vertical movement at a speed different from theother, to maintain said shaft and roll horizontal.

6. Apparatus for handling said splicing strips of rubber or plastic andthe like comprising a splicing mechanism selectively operable to joinoverlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic material and the like,conveying means for supporting strip material for movement along a pathto said splicing mechanism including a power driven conveyor portionupstream of said splicing mechanism in the direction of strip movementalong said path, means establishing a transverse gap in said pathupstream of said splicing mechanism through which a trailing end portionof a strip can depend from said path, and controlled means toselectively cause a portion of a strip supported on said conveying meansto depend from said path through said gap.

i i i i i

2. Apparatus for overlapping and splicing strips of rubber or plasticmaterial and the like comprising a splicing mechanism, means to supportand convey material in strip form along a path to the slicing mechanism,said means providing a gap extending transversely of said path, and rollmeans movable downward adjacent said gap to engage and move a portion ofa strip of material being supported on said supporting and conveyingmeans downward through said gap to depend from said path.
 3. Apparatusfor overlapping and splicing strips of rubber or plastic material andthe like comprising a splicing mechanism, means to support and conveymaterial in strip form along a path to the splicing mechanism, saidmeans providing a gap extending transversely of said path, roll meansmovable downward adjacent said gap to engage and move a portion of astrip of material being supported on said supporting and conveying meansdownward through said gap to depend from said path and means to maintainsaid roll means horizontal during movement thereof from an upper to alower position.
 4. Apparatus for handling and splicing strips of rubberor plastic and the like comprising a splicing mechanism selectivelyoperable to join overlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic materialand the like, conveying means for supporting strip material for movementalong a path to said splicing mechanism, including a power drivenconveyor portion, a transversely extending gap between said power drivenconveyor portion and said splicing mechanism, roll means extendingsubstantially the width of said conveying means and supported formovement through said gap between upper and lower positions above andbelow said conveying means, the size of said gap being sufficient toreceive both said roll means and a portion of a strip of material thatextends across the gap and that is engaged by said roll means, and powermeans operable to move said roll means between said upper and lowerpositions.
 5. Apparatus for handling and splicing strips of rubber orplastic and the like comprising a splicing mechanism selectivelyoperable to join overlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic materialand the like, conveying means for supporting strip material for movementalong a path to said splicing mechanisM, including a power drivenconveyor portion and an idler portion downstream thereof in thedirection of strip movement along said path and upstream of saidsplicing mechanism, a transverse gap between said power driven conveyorportion and said splicing mechanism, roll means extending substantiallythe width of said conveying means and supported for movement throughsaid gap between upper and lower positions above and below saidconveying means, the size of said gap being sufficient to receive bothsaid roll means and a portion of a strip of material that extends acrossthe gap and that is engaged by said roll means, power means operable tomove said roll means between said upper and lower positions, said rollmeans including a horizontal rotatable support shaft, a roll rotatableon said shaft, and means at opposite ends of said support shaftpositively restraining each opposite end against vertical movement at aspeed different from the other, to maintain said shaft and rollhorizontal.
 6. Apparatus for handling said splicing strips of rubber orplastic and the like comprising a splicing mechanism selectivelyoperable to join overlapped ends of strips of rubber or plastic materialand the like, conveying means for supporting strip material for movementalong a path to said splicing mechanism including a power drivenconveyor portion upstream of said splicing mechanism in the direction ofstrip movement along said path, means establishing a transverse gap insaid path upstream of said splicing mechanism through which a trailingend portion of a strip can depend from said path, and controlled meansto selectively cause a portion of a strip supported on said conveyingmeans to depend from said path through said gap.